A Scott Boras leverage play or a real possibility for the Cubs? Well, that's up to you to decide as Chicago baseball insider Bruce Levine dropped a juicy rumor Tuesday night, reporting that the Cubs have had conversations with the super agent regarding the top free agent player left on the market, third baseman Alex Bregman.
The two-time World Series champion with the Houston Astros hasn't found any luck so far this winter in his pursuit of a $200 million contract and the Cubs have come a-calling according to Levine. Bregman reportedly turned down a six-year, $156 million deal to return to the Astros and while he's had several teams engage in negotiations none have apparently come close to meetings his demands.
With a month to go before the start of spring training Bregman remains available and the Cubs are interested in signing him if he's willing to agree to a short-term contract.
Via 670 The Score.
Recently, powerful agent Scott Boras, who represents Bregman, had casual discussions with the Cubs, who aren’t interested in a long-term contract. For Bregman, the framework of a potential deal with the Cubs could look like a three-year contract with opt-outs after each of the first two seasons.
So, the Cubs would essentially be replacing Cody Bellinger's contract with Bregman. Bellinger signed a three-year deal worth $80 million, which included opt-outs after the second and third year in 2024. After opting back into year two of the deal this offseason the Cubs traded Bellinger to the Yankees in what was basically a salary dump.
The Red Sox, Yankees, Tigers and Mariners have checked in on Bregman throughout the offseason, exploring long-term deals with the third baseman.
As a reminder, the Astros extended a qualifying offer to Bregman that he obviously rejected to test free agency. Because of that, if the Cubs do sign Bregman, then they would have to give up their second and fifth round picks in the 2025 MLB Draft as well as $1 million in international free agent pool space.
In 2024, Bregman played in 145 games and slashed .260/.315/.453, with 26 home runs.
The 30-year-old posted a 118 wRC+ and had a 4.1 fWAR. While his overall numbers on offense were down from his career norm, Bregman did perform at a high level for most of the 2024 season. From May 13 through the end of the year, Bregman hit .279/.331/.515, in 475 plate appearances, hitting 25 home runs following a seven-week slump to begin the season.
Do you buy the Cubs having serious interest if Bregman decides to sign a shorter deal or is this a leverage play from Boras to get other teams to increase their offers? If they do sign Bregman does it mean Matt Shaw is used as the super-utility man off the bench or does he move to second base and then the Cubs trade Nico Hoerner?
Let us know what you think!
